Barclay Nettlefold has resigned as Swimming Australia president after the sport's governing body announced an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour.

Nettlefold was accused of making an inappropriate remark towards a female staff member in a lift at the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide last month.

The Swimming Australia board began to look into the comment on Friday but launched an independent probe on Saturday when another staff member came forward with a similar complaint.

Nettlefold was only elected to the role last October in the wake of the Australian team's sub-par performance at the London Olympics.

There is a personality attack on me and that needs to be dealt with internally.

Former Swimming Australia president Barclay Nettlefold

He would not be drawn on the allegations of inappropriate behaviour when he faced media outside his home on Sunday.

"I'll let the board do their work now," he said.

"[It's] for the best of the sport, obviously. There is a personality attack on me and that needs to be dealt with internally."

Nettlefold said the comments in question were made with humorous intent, but ultimately were not aligned with the culture Swimming Australia is trying to promote.

"There were some private comments made in jest to my colleagues recently not consistent with the standards expected of me - standards I have urged to be incorporated into the future culture of swimming in Australia," he said.

My decision to step down will ensure the significant progress and ... positive change to the sport as swimming in this country continues.

Barclay Nettlefold

He said he was resigning to allow the sport to continue to grow in Australia.

"My decision to step down will ensure the significant progress and ... positive change to the sport as swimming in this country continues," he said.

"I am proud to have have initiated two independent inquiries into swimming and I commend the people who have worked with me and supported me, the drive they - to drive this change.

"They all have the institution of Swimming Australia at their heart and together I believe we have made great progress in a very short period of time.

"By leaving, it enables the board to see and do their own investigation and find out what really happened."